Frequently Asked Questions

That depends...

If you have a luxe or larger traditional wedding, consider at minimum a three-month buffer to hire. You'll want a little more time than that to meet and interview officiants to ensure you get the right person, the one that helps bring your vision of your ceremony to life. The Monterey Coast is a wedding destination, and officiants, as well as other wedding professionals, can stay busy year-round. 

For elopements it's best to make inquiries at least a month in advance if possible. The Monterey Wedding Officiant has arranged a ceremony with as little as an hour's notice, but even spur-of-the-moment ceremonies require some preparation.

 Couples are responsible for inquiring about, and obtaining necessary permits for venues where ceremonies occur.  With this said, there are often no permits required for eloping couples who decide to marry in a public area with just a witness and no set-up (chairs/floral arches, etc.).  

 Many officiants are affiliated with a particular religion or church, and many are not.

The Monterey Wedding Officiant, while spiritual, is a non-denominational minister, not affiliated with a specific church or religion. 

 Couples may obtain their marriage license at a County Recorders Office. Depending on the county, couples may need to make an appointment. It's not unheard of to wait three weeks in some locations, while you can walk in and obtain one immediately at others.

There are other ways to obtain your marriage license besides the county clerk. Select notaries can issue licenses with strict identification and other requirements. The Monterey Wedding Officiant does not provide this service.

 Yes. There are two types of licenses in California: the public and the confidential license. Use the link to get all the details on the requirements for each. 

 Yes, the Luxe Wedding Package includes the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner service. If possible, having it at the venue is best, but the rehearsal can be done at another location. While not required, it is recommended to have a rehearsal the night prior or a few nights earlier.   

 Yes, witness services are available for a fee. These witnesses are other professionals or eighteen-year-old high school students preparing for college and adult life. The Monterey Wedding Officiant takes pride in aiding local youth with experiences in public service. 

The best way to show a notary your gratitude is to review their work and refer them to others who may need their services.

 Yes, absolutely. Love is love and services are extended to all who are legally allowed to wed. It's a pleasure to serve all persons no matter their background, color, religion, orientation, etc. The best way to show a notary your gratitude is to review their work and refer them to others who may need their services.

 Often it is the wedding officiant's responsibility to return the completed license to the county from which it was purchased. You can, though, hand-carry your license. Ensure you ask your officiant what their practice is. 

 Yes, I am certainly open to working with wedding planners and am happy to coordinate my services with and through them. Often, using an officiant that is open to working with wedding planners takes some of the pressure off of them and they can put their efforts to other places ensuring a memorable event. 

Tipping the officiant or celebrant is a lovely gesture to show your gratitude for a job well done but not required. 

If your officiant or celebrant is a clergy member, they are often unable to accept tips. Gratuities for clergy may often be directed to the specific religious organization they are from, or to programs their church supports

The Officiant/Celebrant at The Monterey Wedding Officiant, while spiritual, is NOT affiliated with a particular church.